Ed Reed celebrates another day that was for the birds

Maybe we all should have figured something was up when the final score of the NFC title game Sunday afternoon added up to 52. This postseason continued on its magical way later in the evening as the Ravens locked up their half of the HarBowl in New Orleans two weeks from now.

Of course, no one around here needs me to explain that reference. The Orioles showed toughness and amazing resiliency on the way to their first playoff appearance since 1997 and the Ravens now are in the Super Bowl for the first time since 2001. Whether John or Jim Harbaugh ends up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, this will go down as one of the most uplifting seasons in the history of Baltimore sports.

The Ravens shattered the odds again. They entered last week’s divisional matchup against the Denver Broncos as a huge underdog and the oddsmakers didn’t learn their lesson. They opened the line for both the Broncos and the Patriots at 9 ½ points, which is the equivalent of predicting a minor blowout.

In each case, the Ravens battled from behind, this time winning fairly handily after the Patriots jumped out in front in the first half.

This just in: The Vegas types still haven’t learned their lesson. They immediately posted the 49ers as a five-point favorite to win the NFC championship, but the line already has moved slightly closer to the Ravens.